Vehicle Floor Mat Grommet Locking Ring for Controlled Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mat fastening systems for vehicles do not provide an ideal connection and disconnection mechanism, as the required force for connecting or disconnecting the mat grommet from the carpet grommet can be too small or too large, and the half moon ribbed interface is not robust enough to withstand disconnection forces, leading to a low separation force and potential separation of the cap from the post.
Innovation Solution
A mat fastening system that includes a carpet grommet and a mat grommet with a locking ring featuring ramped shelves that securely engage with reciprocal surfaces, providing a non-perpendicular and non-parallel connection interface, allowing for adjustable connection and disconnection forces through interchangeable locking rings, and an auger for securing into the carpet, along with a clip and notch mechanism for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a half moon ribbed interface is used to connect the mat grommet to the carpet grommet, then the connection can be easily made and broken, but the interface is not robust enough to withstand disconnection forces, resulting in low separation force and potential cap-post separation
Solution Approach 1:
The connection interface is divided into multiple engagement points along the ramped shelves, distributing the connection and disconnection forces across multiple locations rather than a single point, thereby increasing overall interface robustness while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The connection interface transitions from a simple vertical engagement to a ramped, angled interface that engages in multiple dimensions, providing both mechanical strength during connection and controlled separation during disconnection through the angled geometry
2Reliability
If the mat grommet is snapably connected to the carpet grommet with high connection force, then the mat remains securely attached, but the disconnection force becomes too large for easy removal
Solution Approach 1:
The connection interface is designed with asymmetric force characteristics: high connection force through ramped shelf engagement ensures secure attachment, while the same geometry provides lower disconnection force by allowing controlled separation along the ramp angle, optimizing both reliability and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The ramped shelves are designed with specific angles and geometries that change the force parameters during connection versus disconnection, allowing the same structure to provide both strong attachment and easy removal by exploiting the directional nature of the angled interface
Data Source
AI summary
A system for securing a floor mat with respect to a carpet within a vehicle that may include a carpet grommet configured to secure to the carpet, a mat grommet configured to secure to the floor mat, and a locking ring secured to or within one of the carpet grommet or the mat grommet. The locking ring includes first ramped shelves configured to securely abut reciprocal ramped surfaces formed on the other of the carpet grommet or the mat grommet. The first ramped shelves are angled in a non-perpendicular and non-parallel manner with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the system, wherein the locking ring secures the carpet grommet to the mat grommet. The carpet grommet may also include an auger configured to pierce and secure into the carpet.